A devastating magnitude-6.3 earthquake, followed by powerful aftershocks, has claimed the lives of approximately 2,000 individuals in western Afghanistan, marking it as one of the deadliest quakes the nation has witnessed in the past twenty years.
Details of the Catastrophe
The United States Geological Survey pinpointed the quake’s epicenter to be roughly 25 miles northwest of Herat city. This was succeeded by three potent aftershocks with magnitudes of 6.3, 5.9, and 5.5.
Abdul Wahid Rayan, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture, reported that the actual death toll in Herat is higher than initially estimated. He revealed that six villages have been obliterated, with hundreds of civilians trapped beneath the rubble, prompting an urgent call for assistance.
While the United Nations initially reported 320 fatalities, they later stated that this figure was still under verification. Local authorities have estimated around 100 deaths and 500 injuries. Furthermore, 465 houses have been reported as destroyed, with an additional 135 sustaining damage.
Immediate Responses and Reactions
Residents of Herat city experienced at least five strong tremors around midday. Abdul Shakor Samadi, a local, recounted the terror of the quake, stating that everyone fled their homes, with buildings, offices, and shops now deserted due to the fear of subsequent tremors.
The World Health Organization in Afghanistan has dispatched 12 ambulances to the Zenda Jan district in Herat province to transport casualties to medical facilities. The organization highlighted that most of the affected are women and children.
Communication lines in Herat were disrupted, making it challenging to gather detailed information from the impacted regions. However, videos circulating on social media showcased hundreds of residents on the streets, seeking refuge outside their homes and workplaces in Herat city.
The tremors were also felt in the neighboring Afghan provinces of Farah and Badghis.
Appeals for Assistance
Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban-appointed deputy prime minister for economic affairs, expressed his condolences to the victims in Herat and Badghis. The Taliban has called upon local organizations to expedite their relief efforts, ensuring the injured receive medical attention, providing shelter for the displaced, and distributing food to survivors. They emphasized the importance of utilizing all available resources to rescue those trapped beneath the debris.
The Taliban’s statement on the social platform X urged affluent citizens to extend any possible assistance to the affected communities.
Japan’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Takashi Okada, also expressed his condolences on X, stating his deep sorrow upon hearing the news of the earthquake in Herat province.
As Afghanistan grapples with this calamity, the global community watches closely, with many nations and organizations poised to offer aid and support in these trying times.
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